TIMMINS - New technology could transform paramedic response times and patient care in the region.
At the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) on Jan. 16, members heard from paramedic service chief Marc Renaud.
He talked about new technology upgrades to improve regional paramedic services, including mobile computer-aided dispatch (mCAD), bi-directional communication CAD, and a new medical priority dispatch system (MPDS). The cost of the changes and the timeline for implementation were not mentioned.
“There’s a mobile CAD, which is computer information coming from our dispatch centre to tablets and phones in the ambulances that will provide call details, mapping, and directions, which will reduce radio communications and provide more efficiency while responding to calls,” Renaud said.
The mCAD system allows paramedics to receive real-time updates on calls and incidents, as well as GPS-based navigation to improve response times.
Renaud explained that bi-directional CAD allows information to be shared between the electronic patient care records (ePCR) system and the central ambulance communication centre (CACC).
“Information from our tablets of patient records will then go to our dispatch centre so they’ll have that record, again reducing phone communications, radio communications, and improving accuracy of all that information,” he said.
A major change coming in the summer is the medical priority dispatch system (MPDS), “a new dispatching system for paramedic services.” The system is already being used in several Ontario communities and impacts how 911 calls are prioritized, he said.
“It’s changing the priority system that we have and all of the questions that dispatchers ask when you call 911,” Renaud said.
“The goal is to reduce the emergency call volume by, I think they say 70 per cent, so it’ll be a more accurate rating system, providing less transport with lights and sirens and more efficient care.”
Training sessions for paramedics and dispatch staff will be conducted to ensure they are prepared to use the new systems.
